Students And Parents Rally Against Violence Outside Perry Hall High School

PERRY HALL - The Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition held a rally outside Perry Hall High School on Monday evening. They were calling on Baltimore County Public Schools to do more to prevent bullying and violence on school grounds.

The rally is a response to a viral video circulating on social media last week. The video depicts a 15-year-old Perry Hall student brandishing a baseball bat in an altercation with other students.

Pastor Charles Neal, the uncle of the 15-year-old student in the viral video, spearheaded the rally.

The Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition held a town hall last Thursday to discuss school violence. The overwhelming conclusion of that meeting was that something needed to be done to protect students better. In a statement released on Facebook to organize the rally, Mary A. Taylor, Baltimore County Parent and event organizer, said the violence is unacceptable.

"Safety is an essential prerequisite for teaching and learning. We can't expect to reach any of our educational goals if the safety of students, and the educators who serve them, is not treated as our highest priority."

Baltimore County Public Schools released a statement clarifying their position on the issue.

​"Any behavior that creates a hostile school environment, disrupts learning and school activities, or negatively interferes with a student's academic, psychological, social or physical well-being will not be tolerated," they said.

BCPS goes on to say that they" "shared expectations" with their team over the summer.

"This summer, we shared expectations for behavior in schools and on buses with Team BCPS. Schools reviewed these expectations with all students, and families signed off to confirm understanding. This fall, we shared safety enhancements regarding athletics."